Art and Change Grant

The Art and Change Grant (ACG) is a project-based funding opportunity offered by the Leeway Foundation to support women, trans*, and gender nonconforming artists and cultural producers living in the Greater Philadelphia area. Each grant provides up to $2,500 to support projects that create art for social change—defined as artistic work that actively engages with community and addresses social issues in transformative ways. Eligible applicants must reside in one of six counties in the Greater Philadelphia region—Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia—and be at least 18 years old. Applicants must identify as a woman, trans*, or gender nonconforming person. Leeway uses the term “trans*” inclusively to encompass all individuals whose gender identity or expression is different from that assigned at birth. In alignment with its belief that social change arises from community collaboration, the ACG requires each applicant to apply with a “Change Partner.” A Change Partner is someone with a demonstrated connection to the applicant’s work and the community or issue the project addresses. The partner could be an individual, organization, or entity that supports the applicant's vision but does not benefit financially from the grant. A Change Partner form must be submitted along with the main application. The application deadline for the 2025 cycle is Friday, August 1, 2025. Multiple information and support sessions are offered by the foundation in both English and Spanish, including virtual and in-person options. Applications are accepted online or as hardcopy submissions. Artists working in all media, including traditional, nontraditional, multimedia, and experimental forms, are encouraged to apply. Evaluation is conducted by a panel of community-based artists and cultural producers. Applicants are judged on artistic merit, alignment with social change objectives, and their demonstrated ability to carry out the project. Grant notifications are sent after the review process, and while the number of grants awarded each year is not fixed, Leeway emphasizes inclusive support for artists representing diverse communities and experiences.